Page 54 - FINAL San Diego Woman interactive

I know most of my articles have At 5 years old Lyssa was diagnosed
been about kids with amazing sport with ADD, (Attention deficit disorder)
ability, however this time I thought I This is a neurological disorder that caus-
would change things up and do a piece es a range of behavior problems such as
on a very talented local artist who lives difficulty attending to instruction, fo-
in Poway. cusing on schoolwork, keeping up with
Her name is Lyssa Ballard she is assignments, following instructions,
a senior this year and goes to Poway completing tasks and social interaction,
High School. She is in the AVID pro- (according to WebMD). Lyssa has never
gram, which helps kids get on track for been medicated for this disorder mak-
college. Lyssa has taken an online sum- ing academics a struggle always.

Lyssa Ballard nity service. She tells me her dream is
to become a freelance illustrator/con-
cept artist for Disney, DreamWorks or
Cartoon Network. She also states that
AVID has given her the tools she needs
to succeed for public speaking and
By Nini Hodge taking responsibility and preparing her
for the real world.
Lyssa is a funny and sweet person
mer course with the Academy of Art She states that she loves helping who I had the pleasure of meeting and
University for Illustration, this is her others and has received a certificate of interviewing. I get to meet so many
dream school, which is located in San recognition for outstanding commu- cool kids all while doing what I love.
Francisco, Ca. She will also be applying Lyssa has 1 younger sister who lives at
to a long list of UC’s and CSU’s. home, Tyra, who is in the 8th grade,
One of her goals is to turn in her same as me, and 2 older siblings,
art portfolio to the College Board Brandon who attends UCI and is 23
hoping to receive some scholarships and Bryanna who is 22 and attends
and recognition for her artwork and Portland State University. She has the
illustrations. He current class schedule support of her loving parents Emily
is quite full and includes an AP Studio and Shawn, who both work hard to
art class, she also tells me she has been provide a loving home for the two who
in the visual arts program pretty much are still at home. I had the pleasure of
since her first day in high school. interviewing her in her beautiful home,
At the end of her junior year she her mom, Mrs. Emily, is really funny
submitted one of her illustrations into and super sweet, I like her a lot, the
the Groff Annual Exhibition, which is a energy in the home is so positive and
collection of the finest high school art in uplifting.
all of San Diego County, it is held at the A fun fact about Lyssa is that she
San Diego Art Institute in Balboa Park. is obsessed with gardening. Her mom

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